Harvard University is facing a $2.2 billion freeze in federal funding after refusing to comply with sweeping demands from the White House aimed at combating anti-Semitism on college campuses.
The funding freeze, announced Monday by the Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, follows Harvard’s rejection of proposed changes to its governance, admissions policies, hiring practices, and diversity offices. An additional $60 million in government contracts has also been suspended.
The demands, which expanded on an earlier directive issued on April 3, included the closure of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and cooperation with immigration authorities to screen international students. Harvard President Alan Garber responded in a letter to students and faculty, pledging to uphold the university’s autonomy.
“We will not negotiate over our independence or our constitutional rights,” Garber wrote. “No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”
The task force issued a scathing response, criticizing what it described as Harvard’s “entitlement mindset.”
“Federal investment comes with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws,” the statement read. “The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable. Elite universities must take this issue seriously if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support.”
Tensions over campus protests reached new heights last year as demonstrations erupted across U.S. universities in opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza. Some protests resulted in violent clashes involving police and pro-Israel counter-protesters. Republican leaders, including former President Donald Trump, have accused the demonstrators of supporting Hamas, the Palestinian militant group designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization.
The Department of Education in March launched investigations into 60 colleges and universities over allegations of anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination. Harvard had already come under scrutiny, with $9 billion in federal funding placed under review prior to the most recent freeze.
On Friday, federal officials submitted a detailed list of additional requirements, including an audit of faculty and student views. Harvard publicly released the document and reaffirmed its refusal to comply with what it called an unlawful overreach.
“We are open to new information and different perspectives,” Garber stated, “but we will not submit to demands that exceed the lawful authority of this or any administration.”
Harvard reported a $45 million operating surplus on $6.5 billion in revenue last fiscal year.
Leading Republicans have renewed calls to cut all federal funding to Harvard. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a staunch supporter of Israel and a vocal critic of elite universities, accused the institution of fostering “raging anti-Semitism.”
“Harvard is the epitome of the moral and academic rot in higher education,” Stefanik said.
Harvard’s stance marks a sharp contrast to that of Columbia University, which has agreed to disciplinary reforms and increased security following similar funding cuts and criticism over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests.
In addition to financial penalties, immigration authorities have targeted two Columbia protest organizers. Mahmoud Khalil is reportedly facing deportation proceedings, while Mohsen Mahdawi was arrested Monday during a citizenship interview.
